Recommend a concise book on dispensationalism
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toddpedlar
Iron Dramatist
The best brief book I know of is Mathison's Dispensationalism: Rightly Dividing the People of God?
Another even briefer book is Gerstner's Primer on Dispensationalism.
Another even briefer book is Gerstner's Primer on Dispensationalism.
Steve Curtis
Puritan Board Senior
I would favor Mathison's. I really enjoyed Gerstner's larger work (Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth) - in fact, it was instrumental in my rejection of Dispensationalism. That being said, he interacts with a lot of older Dispensationalists. While that is helpful for a proper historical perspective, many of the newer "progressive" Dispensationalists renounce some of the more radical elements in their theological past. I haven't read Gerstner's primer, but I imagine that it was written around the same time as the larger work. I have, however, read Mathison, and thought he did a good job of describing the issues as they are now espoused by most Dispensationalists.
The Christ of the Covenants by O. Palmer Robertson is not only a helpful introduction to Covenant Theology but has a great chapter on dispensationalism and its many inconsistencies and errors.
JM
Puritan Board Doctor
KSon
Puritan Board Junior
This book is concise and strikes at the heart of the system:
Amazon.com: The Gospel According to Dispensationalism (9780921716167): Reginald C. Kimbro: Books
Amazon.com: The Gospel According to Dispensationalism (9780921716167): Reginald C. Kimbro: Books
JonathanHunt
Puritan Board Senior
I second Mathison
Notthemama1984
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
I would buy the Ryrie. If you have a good understanding of covenant theology (which I am sure you do), then you can see the holes in dispensationalism.
I am of the opinion that if you want to know what dispensationalism is, then ask a Dispensational. If you want to know what covenant theology is, then ask a covenant theologian. One is usually not very good at describing the other. You will see this real clear when you read Ryrie. He says some things about covenant theology that makes you scratch your head.
I am of the opinion that if you want to know what dispensationalism is, then ask a Dispensational. If you want to know what covenant theology is, then ask a covenant theologian. One is usually not very good at describing the other. You will see this real clear when you read Ryrie. He says some things about covenant theology that makes you scratch your head.
Pilgrim Standard
Puritan Board Sophomore
That is quite a good book for a quick synopsis on how Dispensationalism is contra-gospel.
It is a small book, not too long and sticks to the major points of conflict between Dispensationalism and the Gospel. I have given out a few copies of that book to Dispensational Christians who were begining to desire to live more in accord with the Word and seeing some divergence between the preaching from the pulpit and the Word.
Notthemama1984
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
Something else about dispensationalism is that I personally separate Dispensationalists into two groups; scholars and non-scholars. When I say scholars, I simply mean anyone who has studied dispensationalism. The two groups are going to look vastly different. Because some Dispensational denoms (SBC and non-denom for example) have low requirements for ordination, you can have a preacher have Dispensational eschatology and very little else in common with Ryrie or the others.
My father in law and I are a perfect example. He is pre-trib rapture quasi Dispensational, and we probably agree more theologically than he would with Ryrie.
I say all of this to say...
If your friend has not studied dispensationalism to a great degree, I am not sure how much these books will help. It could easily be that your friend would disagree with the books. If he is a non-scholar, I would just ask him questions and find out where he stands.
My father in law and I are a perfect example. He is pre-trib rapture quasi Dispensational, and we probably agree more theologically than he would with Ryrie.
I say all of this to say...
If your friend has not studied dispensationalism to a great degree, I am not sure how much these books will help. It could easily be that your friend would disagree with the books. If he is a non-scholar, I would just ask him questions and find out where he stands.
Guess I should clarify just a bit. The literature is for a young friend who is a enthusiastic believer. She is very involved in her church [an emergent type] and being discipled by mentors there. They are encouraging her to move to Israel next year where she can work toward the cause of Christ's return and establishment of the New Jerusalem.
Obviously as a friend this is a little troubling to hear. We have had some very light discussion on the matter. I don't come from a dispensational background though. I understand the theology but I don't understand the way it feels, first hand, to be attached to it. Therefore, I'm looking in particular for material that addresses it from the inside out. It would also be helpful if it was somewhat recent, since dispensationalism has morphed a good deal over the generations.
Obviously as a friend this is a little troubling to hear. We have had some very light discussion on the matter. I don't come from a dispensational background though. I understand the theology but I don't understand the way it feels, first hand, to be attached to it. Therefore, I'm looking in particular for material that addresses it from the inside out. It would also be helpful if it was somewhat recent, since dispensationalism has morphed a good deal over the generations.
puritanpilgrim
Puritan Board Junior
What about pink? I remember that being pretty short.
Notthemama1984
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
Ryrie updated his book pretty recently to show the "advancements" of dispensationalism.
I did find it interesting that Ryrie sees Edwards as a Dispensational before dispensationalism was formulated and systematized.
I did find it interesting that Ryrie sees Edwards as a Dispensational before dispensationalism was formulated and systematized.
JM
Puritan Board Doctor
Wow, I found something years ago that was more concise than all you all's recommendations. I even posted it on my blog. I recommend William Cox.
http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/puritancovenanter/reference-why-i-left-scofieldism-william-e-cox-525/ It is called Why I left Scofieldism. It is very strong, short, and sweet concerning truth.
One thing that needs to be answered is... Are you dealing with Progressive Dispensationalists or the old Classic Dispensationalists?
Vern Poythress has a very good book along with someone I am not a fan of. But the book is pretty good and gracious.
Amazon.com: Understanding Dispensationalists (9780875523743): Vern S. Poythress: Books
http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/puritancovenanter/reference-why-i-left-scofieldism-william-e-cox-525/ It is called Why I left Scofieldism. It is very strong, short, and sweet concerning truth.
One thing that needs to be answered is... Are you dealing with Progressive Dispensationalists or the old Classic Dispensationalists?
Vern Poythress has a very good book along with someone I am not a fan of. But the book is pretty good and gracious.
Amazon.com: Understanding Dispensationalists (9780875523743): Vern S. Poythress: Books
N. Eshelman
Puritan Board Senior
I have also read Reggie Kimbro's little book and found it to be very helpful.
Who is Reggie Kimbro Nate. i have never heard of him or his little booklet. Reference?
N. Eshelman
Puritan Board Senior
He's a Free Presbyterian (American kind, not the bull horn carrying kind over the pond) and an adjunct professor at Geneva Seminary. Here's his bio from Geneva Sem:
He's also on Sermon Audio. He's a pretty good preacher. I met him in 1998 at Baker Book House in Grand Rapids and got to know him a bit. He gave me a free copy of his book and I really enjoyed it as a concise primer on Dispensational theology compared with covenant theology.
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